On the apsidal motion of BP Vulpeculae

BP Vulpeculae is a bright eclipsing binary system showing apsidal motion. It was found in an earlier study that it shows retrograde apsidal motion which contradicts theory. In this paper we present the first BV light curve of the system and its light curve solution as well as seven new times of the minima from the years 1959–1963. This way we could expanded the baseline of the investigation to five decades. Based on this longer baseline we concluded that the apsidal motion is prograde agreeing with the theoretical expectations and its period is about 365 years and the determined internal structure constant is close to the theoretically expected one.     

Absolute parameters of the Algol binary V505 Sgr from infrared JK light curves

We present the first light curves of V505 Sgr in the infrared (IR) J and K bands. The light curves are analysed with a code based on Roche geometry and stellar model atmosphere fluxes in order to determine a new set of stellar and orbital parameters. From the visual–IR photometry we find no evidence of IR excess in the system. We study the effect of the non-synchronous rotation of the primary star in the light and radial velocity curves. The distance of the system is estimated as  112 ± 4 pc  , in close agreement with the Hipparcos parallax.     

The light curve of the companion to PSR B1957+20

We present a new analysis of the light curve for the secondary star in the eclipsing binary millisecond pulsar system PSR B1957+20. Combining previous data and new data points at minimum from the Hubble Space Telescope , we have 100 per cent coverage in the R -band. We also have a number of new K _s-band data points, which we use to constrain the infrared magnitude of the system. We model this with the eclipsing light-curve (ELC) code. From the modelling with the ELC code we obtain colour information about the secondary at minimum light in BVRI and K . For our best-fitting model we are able to constrain the system inclination to 65°± 2° for pulsar masses ranging from 1.3 to  1.9  M_⊙  . The pulsar mass is unconstrained. We also find that the secondary star is not filling its Roche lobe. The temperature of the unirradiated side of the companion is in agreement with previous estimates and we find that the observed temperature gradient across the secondary star is physically sustainable.     

Light curves of the eclipsing systems of RS CVn-type

This work presents the light curves for rotating spotted stars generated by a computational code developed by us. This code is based in a model of the system and its analytical solution. The work also present an analysis of the photometric curve variations with the changes in the model's parameters.As a first result we have simulated a temporal evolution of the light curve when the photospheric spot varies its size and position and we reproduced some observational light curves of the II Peg star.Work supported by Dirección de Investigación, Universidad de La Serena, Chile.     

Unstable Behavior of the W UMa-Type Contact Binary V1073 Cygni

Observational evidence of unstable behavior for the W UMa-type binary system V1073 Cygni is presented in this paper.Having collected 111 times of minimum light during 1930–1998, we analyzed the change in the orbital period of this system. A perioddecrease was detected. Comparing the photoelectricobservations in 1963–64 with that made in 1988–91, obvious variable O'Connell effect of the light curves in V can be seen. Possible reasons for the unstable behavior of V1073 Cyg were discussed.     

1SWASP J024148.62+372848.3: A spotted overcontact binary system under the short-period limit

With the 2013 version of W-D code, we derived the photometric solutions for the new discovered extremely short-period eclipsing binary 1SWASP J024148.62+372848.3 based on its complete RI_c light curves. The results show that the system is a W-type overcontact system with a filling-out factor of 23% and a mass ratio of q = 1.23, thus it is a new target which belongs to the rare group of overcontact binary with period under the short period limit (0.22 days). The obviously asymmetries found in its light curves could be explained well by the high spots coverage on the two components which have strong magnetic activities due to their late type nature. A third light contributing about 40% of the total light has been detected during the light curve analysis. This additional component may play an important role in the formation of 1SWASP J024148.62+372848.3, just like those in other overcontact binaries below the limit.     

Analysis of the light curve of the magnetic CP star HD 56022

An examination of the published observational data concerning the light curves of magnetic CP stars has shown that only one star — HD 56022 — shows a light curve with a very long phase interval of light constancy. Only for this type of variability it is imaginable that the equatorial symmetry of the surface brightness distribution could be excluded. However, the analysis of the light curve of HD 56022 in the colour u of the Strömgren system has indicated that the possibly equatorial position of the small bright spot is not in contradiction to this observed curve. From the analysis in u the maximum amplitude of a light curve at another wavelength, where the curve is in counterphase to the light curve in u, can be predicted. The amplitude of such a light curve must be much smaller than 0.1 mag. From unpublished observations of HD 56022 by the satellites TD-1 A and ANS we have determined the amplitude at $LD = 155 nm, where the light curve is in counterphase to that in u, to be 0.2 mag. The consequences from the contradiction between the model and the observations in UV are discussed.     

Regularities in the long-term optical light curve of the black hole candidate binary A0620 − 00 (V616 Mon)

We have monitored the R I magnitudes of the black hole candidate system A0620 − 00 (V616 Mon) in the years 1991–1995 at the Wise Observatory. Combining our data with some additional measurements, we analyse a sparsely covered 7-yr light curve of the star. We find that the average R -band magnitude varies on a time-scale of a few hundred days, with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 0.3 mag. The two maxima in the well-known double hump binary cycle, as well as one of the minima between them, vary by a few per cent relative to one another, in a seemingly random way. One maximum is, on average, higher by 0.05 mag than the other. The depth of the second minimum varies with significantly higher amplitude, in clear correlation with the long-term variability of the mean magnitude of the system. It is shallower than the other minimum at times of maximum light. It deepens when the system brightness declines, and it becomes the deeper of the two minima at times of minimum system light. According to the commonly acceptable phasing of the binary cycle, the systematically varying minimum corresponds to the inferior conjunction of the red dwarf. We cannot suggest any simple geometrical model for explaining the regularities that we find in the long-term photometric behaviour of the V616 Mon binary system.     

Absolute parameters of the Algol binary Z Vul

Spectra in the wavelength range 4230–9150 Å and the first light curves of Z Vul in the infrared J, H and K bands are presented. Our infrared JHK light curves and radial velocities, together with published radial velocity and UBV data are analyzed in order to determine a new set of stellar parameters. This allows us to determine new absolute parameters of the stellar components, the interstellar reddening and the distance to the system. We discuss the rotation of the primary star, finding that must be rotating faster than synchronous. From the visual–infrared photometry we find no evidence of IR excess in the system.     

A photometric study of the contact binary XY Boo

The contact binary XY Boo is observed photoelectrically, and variations of the orbital period and the light curves are indicated. NewBV light curves and those of Binnendijk (1971) and Winkler (1977) are analysed by used of the light curve synthesis method. Combining the derived photometric elements with the spectroscopic elements of McLean and Hilditch (1983), we obtain values of the masses and the radii of the components of the system.     

Computation of the elements of close eclipsing systems in the frequency-domain

The aim of the present paper will be to generalize the methods for computation of the elements of eclipsing binary systems in the frequency-domain, summarized in our recent Paper I (Kopal, 1981), to the case ofclose systems, in which photometric proximity effects become conspicuous and must be taken into account before the methods previously outlined in Paper I become directly applicable.Following a brief introduction to the subject given in Section 1, Section 2 summarizes (and comments upon) the difficulties previously encountered in separation of the photometric proximity and eclipse effects. In Section 3 we develop an alternative new approach to the problem by modulation of the light curves throughout the entire orbital cycle, intended to filter out proximity effects from the observed light changes and isolate those due to eclipses; while in Section 4 we shall present a numerical application of the new method to an analysis of the observed light changes of the eclipsing system W Ursae Maioris.In Section 5 we shall present a quantitative investigation of the photometric effects of distortion on the light changes of close eclipsing systems within eclipses-the most complicated part of the whole problem-with numerical application to the system of U Sagittae carried out in the concluding Section 6.Appendices 1–3 contain numerical data which should facilitate application of the methods developed and illustrated in Sections 3–4; while Appendix 4 will be reserved for a mathematical proof of certain expansions used in Section 5, which would have been too discursive for the main text.     

Photometric investigation of the evolved contact binary system DN Aur

We present here the photometric light curve analyses of the eclipsing binary star DN Aur. The CCD photometry, performed at the Behlen observatory using the 0.76 m automated telescope gave 646 individual data points inV andR bandpass filters. From this data we have determined a new epoch and an orbital period of 0.6168891 days. The published spectral classification is F3.The Wilson-Devinney model was used to derive the photometric solutions. DN Aur is a W UMa type contact binary system. The mass ratio, (q=m ₂/m ₁0.210, where star 2 is eclipsed at the primary minimum) suggests that the system has A-type configuration. The computed light curve has a third light of about 22 percent and a total eclipse in the secondary minimum. A solution with a cool spot on the secondary component is also found. We recommend spectroscopic study of DN Aur even though the light curve analysis show it to be a single line spectroscopic system. Generally contact systems of spectral type F3 have periods ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 days. The longer period of DN Aur suggests that it is an evolved contact system with case A mass transfer.     

Radial velocity and light curves analysis of the eclipsing binary NN Vir

The eclipsing binary NN Vir is a short period system showing an EW‐type light curve. Photometric observations of NN Vir were done by Gomez‐Ferrellad & Garcia‐Melendo (1997) at Esteve Duran Observatory. We used photometric data of NN Vir for light curve analysis. The available spectroscopic data of NN Vir is new and we also used the first radial velocity data of this system obtained by Rusinski & Lu (1999) for analysis. The radial velocity and light curves analysis was made with the latest version ofWilson program(1998) and the geometric and physical elements of the system are derived. By searching the simultaneous solutions of the system, we have determined the masses and radii of the components : 1.89(M_⊙) and 1.65(R_⊙) for the primary component; 0.93(M_⊙) and 1.23(R_⊙) for the secondary component. We estimated effective temperatures of 7030(K) for the primary and 6977(K) for the secondary component. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Photometric study of the algol-type eclipsing binary EU hydrae

In this paper, we give theBV photoelectric light curves of the Algol-type eclipsing binary EU Hydrae. We have analysed its period by means of the times of minima determined from this observation and the times of minima which other observers published. The period was found to gradually decrease with a change rate dP/dE = -3 _. ^d 29 × 10^–10. The obtained light curves have been solved using Wilson-Devinney's synthetic light-curve program. The results demonstrate that EU Hydrae is a detached system, the secondary component fills the Roche-lobe, its mass ratio is 0.205. EU Hya may evolve to be a semidetached system in which the secondary component fills the Roche-lobe.     

A photometric study of a new short period eclipsing sdB binary NSVS 07826147

NSVS?07826147 and NSVS?04818255 were suspected as possible eclipsing sdB binary systems by Kelley and Shaw. In order to investigate the short period eclipsing sdB binaries, we have listed them as our observing targets and began to monitor it from March 2009. Till now, we have obtained four complete CCD light curves and 16 high precise times of light minimum of NSVS?07826147. All light curves show strong reflection and a very narrow eclipse, which implies that NSVS?07826147 should be a new short period eclipsing sdB binary. For the system NSVS?04818255, no eclipse character was found in the light curves according to our observations. However, we found that a star near NSVS?04818255 is a close binary system with a period of about 0.32498 days. Up to now, only seven short period eclipsing sdB binary systems have been found, including NSVS?07826147. With the new precise epochs obtained by us, the new period of this system is derived as 0.16177046(5) days, which can be used to predict the epochs of light minimum. Furthermore, the light curves of NSVS?07826147 are analyzed using the Wilson–Van Hamme code and the testing photometric solutions are presented and discussed.     

The periastron advance in the second post-Newtonian approximation in general relativity

In this paper we present a second order post-Newtonian approximation to the Hamiltonian of theN-body system. Subsequently we improve the well-known Robertson's formula for the perihelion advancement by a correction term of orderc, wherec ^–4 is the velocity of light.     

A discussion of the Cepheid amplitude behaviour in the instability strip

An analysis is presented which seeks to reveal the possible causes for discrepancy in the results on the dependence of Cepheid amplitudes on star positions in the instability strip noted by different investigators.A comparison of the data used in two of these investigations—that of Yakimova (1970) and that of Sandage and Tammann (1971)—shows that it is most unlikely to be able to explain completely the conflicting results obtained in these studies. But if we analyse the data of Sandage and Tammann following the approach of Yakimova — namely, by considering the Cepheids in only one stellar system and taking into account the stellar colours in maximum light — we obtain Yakimova's result: the light amplitude is the larger, the nearer to the low temperature edge of the instability strip a Cepheid is. Therefore, it appears that differences between the various approaches contribute greatly to the different results of Sandage and Tammann and Yakimova (and the other investigators).     

Photometry of the long period dwarf nova GY Hya

Although comparatively bright, the cataclysmic variable GY Hya has not attracted much attention in the past. As part of a project to better characterize such systems photometrically, we observed light curves in white light, each spanning several hours, at Bronberg Observatory, South Africa, in 2004 and 2005, and at the Observatório do Pico dos Dias, Brazil, in 2014 and 2016. These data permit to study orbital modulations and their variations from season to season. The orbital period, already known from spectroscopic observations of Peters and Thorstensen (2005), is confirmed through strong ellipsoidal variations of the mass donor star in the system and the presence of eclipses of both components. A refined period of 0.34723972 (6) days and revised ephemeries are derived. Seasonal changes in the average orbital light curve can qualitatively be explained by variations of the contribution of a hot spot to the system light together with changes of the disk radius. The amplitude of the ellipsoidal variations and the eclipse contact phases permit to put some constraints on the mass ratio, orbital inclination and the relative brightness of the primary and secondary components. There are some indications that the disk radius during quiescence, expressed in units of the component separation, is smaller than in other dwarf novae.     

Optical studies of the X-ray transient XTE J2123−058 – I. Photometry

We present optical photometry of the X-ray transient XTE J2123−058, obtained in 1998 July–October. The light curves are strongly modulated on the 5.95-h orbital period, and exhibit dramatic changes in amplitude and form during the decline. We used synthetic models, which include the effect of partial eclipses and X-ray heating effects, to estimate the system parameters, and we constrain the binary inclination to be i =73°±4. The model is successful in reproducing the light curves at different stages of the decay by requiring the accretion disc to become smaller and thinner by 30 per cent as the system fades by 1.7 mag in the optical. From August 26 the system reaches quiescence with a mean magnitude of R =21.7±0.1 and our data are consistent with the optical variability being dominated by the ellipsoidal modulation of the companion.